What is the difference between dusky and sand flathead

It lives in a range of habitats from sheltered rocky reefs to sandy or muddy areas at depths of less than 1 m to 25 m. The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia. Like all flatheads, the Dusky Flathead is a predator. Flatheads feed on fishes, crustaceans and sand-dwelling squid Kuiter, On average, males take 1. The Australian Museum respects and acknowledges the Gadigal people as the First Peoples and Traditional Custodians of the land and waterways on which the Museum stands.

Image credit: gadigal yilimung shield made by Uncle Charles Chicka Madden. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn more. The fish was returned to the water unharmed. AMS I. It is often caught by anglers in New South Wales. Similar to other flathead species, the caudal fin tail is the best way to identify the Southern Flathead.

It is recognisable by a large brownish-black blotch on the lower edge, with smaller reddish-brown spots on the upper portion of the caudal fin. Confusing Species - The southern flathead is often confused with the longspine flathead P.

The caudal fin is the best method to distinguish between the various flathead species. Longspine flathead have a pale blue caudal fin, where as the southern sand flathead has a grey-black colouration.

The blue-spotted flathead has a single large blotch below five horizontal bars edged with white on the caudal fin. The southern sand flathead has one to two blotches below smaller blotches. The blue-spotted flathead is rarely caught in depths of less than 25 fathoms. We are updating the DPI website as part of our commitment to deliver high quality information to our customers. Dusky and rock flathead are caught in estuaries with gill, haul and seine nets. The SASAP certification of the rock flathead in Victoria is an indication that estuarine fisheries can experience low bycatch.

Overall, flatheads seem in relatively good shape with all sustainability issues being addressed by government and industry. How much do you trust them to do the right thing? Whatever your view is, we need to ensure that managers and industry are precautionary and continue to improve their practices around issues of scientific uncertainty and bycatch.

The flesh of larger fish can be slightly dry and coarse though avoiding over-cooking by using gentle cooking methods should prevent this. A very popular fish for battering and deepfryng.